I. Vss. 1-5: A Dispute About Ritual Washings:
First–They already made up their mind about Jesus.
Second–They didn’t evaluate Jesus against the measure of God’s Word.
Exodus 30:18-19: You shall also make a laver of bronze and its foot also of bronze, for washing. And you shall put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar. And you shall put water in it, for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet there.
These washings were commanded by tradition, not by Scripture
II. Vss. 6-9: Exalting Man’s Tradition Over God’s Will:
Hypocrite — referred to “an actor” or “someone who wears a mask.”
Empty teaching=No Word; Empty Worship=No Heart==Hypocrisy
Would God say something similar to us?
(Their heart is far from Me.)
*Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men is one of the pillars of legalism.
III. Vss. 10-13: Example of How Their Traditions Dishonored God:
IV. Vss. 14-23: Tells The Multitude About The Image of Religion:
- Listen to Me (listen with the attitude of yielding)
- Understand Me (Understand what I’m saying to you)
Defilement is an export, not an import!
V. Vss. 17-23: Jesus Speaks to His Disciples About What Defiles a Person
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE HEART
Spurgeon said: “The source from which these rivers of pollution proceed is the natural heart of man. Sin is not a splash of mud upon man’s exterior, it is a filth generated within himself.”
William Barclay said about Evil thoughts: “Every outward act of sin is preceded by an inward act of choice; therefore Jesus begins with the evil thought from which the evil action comes.”
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